Jazz FM Awards to return in June to celebrate Jazz FM's 25th year
South African great Hugh Masekela will be recognised with a Lifetime Achievement award as the Jazz FM Awards return for a second year on June 10th.
Jazz FM is delighted to announce that the Jazz FM Awards will return for a second year on Wednesday June 10th 2015 in the Great Halls at Vinopolis, London Bridge. The awards will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of Jazz FM, launched in 1990. Legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award on the night.
Eleven awards will be presented to honour musicians and performers that have made an exceptional contribution within of jazz, blues and soul. The award categories are:
- Breakthrough Act
- Instrumentalist of the Year
- Album of the Year
- Jazz Innovation of the Year
- Live Experience of the Year
- UK Jazz Act of the Year
- International Jazz Artist of the Year
- Blues Artist of the Year
- Soul Artist of the Year
- Vocalist of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement – to be presented to Hugh Masekela
This unique event presented by Jazz FM and Serious will celebrate the wealth of talent demonstrated in jazz music over the last 12 months with live performances including Hugh Masekela, who will be joined by American jazz pianist Larry Willis.
Hugh Masekela is a world-renowned multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, singer and defiant anti-apartheid campaigner. A proud South African he was born in the town of Witbank he went on to work with Harry Belafonte, Dizzy Gillespie, The Byrds, Fela Kuti, Marvin Gaye, Herb Alpert, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and notably his former wife the late Miriam Makeba. A pillar of the anti-apartheid movement, Hugh returned to his home country in 1990 following a 30 year exile. In 2010 President Zuma honoured him with the highest order in South Africa: The Order of Ikhamanga. Masekela will also play the Barbican in London on Monday 8th June and Love Supreme Festival on 5th July as part of his busy international tour schedule.
Jazz FM Chairman Richard Wheatly said: “We’re proud to be celebrating 25 years of Jazz FM at this year’s Awards which recognise the best musicians and performers. The evening is set to be a fantastic occasion, bringing together the jazz world’s finest with Hugh Masekela headlining what will be an unforgettable night.”
The Jazz FM Awards first took place in 2013 creating a memorable night of live music and celebration. Performances included a world first collaboration by Jamie Cullum and the inaugural Jazz FM Awards lifetime Achievement winner Ahmad Jamal with recognition of amazing accomplishments from Robert Glasper, Gregory Porter, Kurt Elling and more.
The Jazz FM Awards 2015 is a partnership between Jazz FM and Serious and is made possible with the support of Aberdeen Asset Management, Taylor’s Port, Mishcon De Reya and Arqiva.